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+ servings
cajun shrimp pasta

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Author: Sarah Jenkins
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a quick and easy pasta recipe for busy nights that comes together in under 30 minutes! Large succulent shrimp are coated with spicy cajun seasoning, then added to linguine and a rich creamy alfredo sauce that results in a delicious creamy spicy shrimp pasta! 
5 from 46 votes
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Course Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine Cajun, creole
Servings 6 people
Calories

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package pasta linguine or fettuccine recommended
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • ½ sweet onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoon cajun seasoning (plus more depending on your desired level of heat)
  • ¾ cup diced tomatoes (drained)
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoon chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Start by preparing your pasta according to package directions. Add a little salt to the boiling water for extra flavor. When pasta has finished cooking, drain the water, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water for later.
  • Meanwhile, heat a large saucepan over the stove and sautee the red pepper and chopped onion in the 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat.
  • Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute more.
  • Add the shrimp and cajun seasoning and cook until the shrimp is pink and no longer translucent.
  • Add the diced tomatoes and cream and cook for an additional 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
  • Add about ¼ cup of the pasta water to the shrimp mixture and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes. This will help thicken the sauce.
  • Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese. Add the pasta to the sauce and stir well to combine.
  • Serve in bowls, garnished with chopped parsley and additional parmesan cheese.

Notes

  1. Err on the side of caution when adding the cajun seasoning. You can always add more if you want but you can’t take it away. And, depending on what type of cajun spice you use, the heat level can vary dramatically.
  2. Save your pasta water for the sauce! The water you cook your pasta in retains a ton of starch from the pasta. It’s great to add to the sauce to help bind it to the noodles and thicken it up a bit. I use this trick for all my pasta dishes. 
  3. Use large shrimp for this recipe. Fresh or frozen will both work!
Keyword creamy cajun sauce, easy dinner, easy pasta, easy weeknight dinner, seafood pasta, shrimp pasta, spicy shrimp pasta
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!